Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder
Posted: Thursday, August 02, 2007
by Rex Birkmire
Birkmire Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
What is SPD?
Sensory processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological syndrome that is commonly seen in pediatric and psychiatric practices. Unfortunately, SPD is not well understood by the medical community. Moderate to severe cases often come to the attention of a psychiatrist because of the significant impairing symptoms. These symptoms include:
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) • insomnia • anxiety • mood disorder
Early detection
Many children with SPD have symptoms that begin at birth. Poor sleep, excessive agitation, and reflux are common early symptoms. By the time their children with SPD are two years old, many parents notice ongoing poor sleep and fussiness about clothes and fabrics; many SPD children prefer to have little, if any, clothes on. They often seem strong willed and easily agitated.
Early detection is important so that parents can receive education about SPD. Education helps parents understand the causes of the child’s behavior, which helps alleviate the anger and guilt they may accrue from the challenges of raising a child with SPD.
Early Intervention
Occupational therapy (OT) is essential in the treatment of SPD. It is the most effective when delivered to children between the ages of 2 and 10. OT helps ease both the hypersensitivity and the motor incoordination symptoms of SPD. In addition to OT, many patients have consequent behavioral and psychiatric symptoms that benefit from psychopharmacological management.
Insomnia, agitation, anxiety and mood symptoms can be greatly reduced by a mood stabilizer. ADHD symptoms are often relieved by medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
SPD is a disorder that, in many cases, has a genetic component and has a multitude of symptoms. Successful treatment requires the help of knowledgeable professionals from the fields of psychiatry, pediatrics, OT and others.
Rex A. Birkmire, M.D.
Dr. Rex Birkmire is a national speaker who provides over 100 educational programs a year. His experience in general and forensic psychiatry is vast.
Dr. Birkmire trained at Harvard’s Massachusetts Mental Health Center , one of the most prestigious psychiatric residences in the country. He went on to teach as co-director of the Harvard Gaughan fellowship in psychiatry and law, while acting as deputy medical director of the Massachusetts correctional and mental health.
Dr. Birkmire moved to Orlando , Florida in 1998. He served as the associate medical director of Florida Hospital Center for Behavioral Health., where he provided outpatient care, ECT oversight and leadership of over 70 psychiatric beds .He started his own private practice in 2002, Birkmire Behavioral Healthcare, where he treats children, adolescents and adults. Dr. Birkmire has a particular interest and expertise in the area of sensory processing disorders. He is currently writing a book on the medical interventions for SPD.
In addition to his private practice, Dr Birkmire serves as the medical director of Devereux of Florida, a non-profit organization treating severely emotional disturbed children and adolescents.
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